Volume 14 Issue 8 Term 2, 27th June 2025
- Principals Report
- School Absences
- Term 2 Fee's
- St Finbarr's Pillar Awards 2025
- QLD Cricket Visit
- Prep-3 Camp, 19th & 20th June
- Magnetic Island Camp
- Quilpie & District Sport
- PPF 2025
- Archer's Joke of the Day
- Tuck-Shop 2025
- School Holiday Fun
- Your Contact Details
- Tuck-shop Roster
- School Website & Calendar
- Assembly
- School Yard access
- School Bell Times
- Term Dates 2025
- St Finbarr's Student Protection Contacts
Principals Report
Dear Families,
As we wrap up another busy and beautiful term at St Finbarr’s, I want to take a moment to reflect on the joy, learning, and love we’ve seen grow within our little school.
Camp Magic
Excitement was certainly in the air earlier this term as Mrs Harris, Miss Kerri and I set off with the 5/6 students to Magnetic Island. What a week it was! We enjoyed sunny skies, beautiful beaches, and the chance to deepen friendships and learning in a truly memorable setting. Our students made us proud with their enthusiasm, kindness, and curiosity. We’ve captured some of the special moments from camp, and the class will be sharing their reflections early next term.
Celebrating Student Achievements
A huge congratulations to Cleo and James, who represented our school with pride at Regional Touch. While they didn’t progress to the next level, they played with courage and skill—an achievement in itself.
We also cheered on our wonderful 5/6 Readers Cup teams who travelled to Charleville and competed with confidence, placing 5th and 6th out of eight teams—what an effort! A huge thank you to Dr Krystal Cathcart for her passion and initiative in making this opportunity possible.
Gratitude for Going Above and Beyond
A special shout-out to Miss Kerri, whose energy and generosity know no bounds! She not only drove the bus for our Magnetic Island camp but also supported the 2/3 class on their overnight stay in Charleville. If you see her around, be sure to offer a big thank you—she’s gone above and beyond, and we’re incredibly grateful.
Spreading Kindness and Courage
A big round of applause to our amazing 2/3 students who led not just one but two assemblies recently. First, they shared a beautiful Pentecost Prayer, and the following week, they led the full school assembly with such confidence and care. Their voices were steady, their message heartfelt, and they brought so much pride to our school community. We are incredibly proud of their bravery and leadership.
Fond Farewells & Warm Welcomes
We bid a loving farewell to Kolt and his family as they begin a new journey in Roma. We wish Kolt all the best at St John’s Roma.
We also send our best wishes to Bradley and his family as they return to Adavale. Bradley will continue his schooling through Longreach Distance Education, and we know he’ll shine. —you’ll both always be part of the Finnie's family.
At the same time, we’re delighted to welcome Henry Minnis, who will be joining our Year 1 class next term. His family comes to us from St Mary’s in Charleville, and we look forward to welcoming them with open arms to our Finnie's community.
Looking Ahead
• NAIDOC Day will be celebrated on Friday 18th July (Week 1) from 11:30am to 1:00pm. Our event will include curriculum connections to First Nations learning and a prayer celebration. Invitations will be shared over the holidays.
• Athletics Carnival is coming up Monday of Week 2. As host school under the Quilpie & District Sport Committee, we’re grateful to all who’ve offered their help, and especially to Kate Barrom for leading the organisation. There may be a few hiccups along the way, but we’ll learn from them and continue to grow this event each year.
• Report Cards will be emailed home Monday 30th June, the first day of school holidays. As outlined in our earlier letter, reports will reflect the new format—short, clear and aligned with updated assessment guidelines. Parent-teacher interviews will be held at the end of next term.
Mini Finnie's Update
We want to send a huge and heartfelt thank you to Miss Jennie Anderson, who has officially retired from Mini Finnie's. Her years of dedication and gentle presence have helped shape so many of our youngest learners—we’ve been incredibly lucky to have her.
Stepping in from Term 3 will be Dr Krystal Cathcart, supported by Miss Gabby. They’ll be guiding our Mini Finnie's each Friday, and we couldn’t feel more confident about the hands and hearts leading the program. I’m looking forward to popping in during Term 3 before heading off on maternity leave in Term 4.
As we head into the holidays, thank you all—from the bottom of our hearts—for your ongoing support, generosity and partnership. It’s families like yours that make St Finbarr’s the warm, welcoming school it is.
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.” – Anne Lamott
Wishing everyone a restful, joy-filled, and well-earned break. See you in Term 3!
Until next time,
Mrs. Kara Marsh
Principal, St Finbarr’s
School Absences
Term 2 Fee's
Emails of current accounts were emailed home on the 12th of June from accounts@quilpie.catholic.edu.au , please check your emails to confirm your account balance.
St Finbarr's Pillar Awards 2025
Week 5 'Guided by Truth", Archer
Lincoln
Rosie
Week 6 "Guided by Truth" Sadie
Ella-Rose
Week 7 "Growing in Wisdom" Bradley
Charlie
Oscar
Week 8 - Jett
Lucy
Week 9 - Maggie
Cleo
QLD Cricket Visit
We were very lucky to have had a visit from Queensland Cricket this term and learn some great skills, Daniel from Qld Cricket was extremely impressed with the fine motor and ball skills of all the Quilpie students as compared to our city counterparts. This is a great recognition of how our Quilpie life really makes its mark on our kids.
Prep-3 Camp, 19th & 20th June
Magnetic Island Camp
Originally the 5-6 students were given a few choices of camp destinations but in the end, they decided on Magnetic Island, so off we went 4 days in total driving 3 days at Magnetic Island Apex Camp packed full of activities.
We took so many photos but here's just a handful, what a great camp topped off by finally catching a fish or two.
Quilpie & District Sport
PPF 2025
Our St Finbarr's PPF are cooking the BBQ for this Community Day, if you are able to help out in any way that would be appreciated. We are still waiting on final details but feel free to contact PPF President Sam Bartlett if your able to help or want some more info.
Archer's Joke of the Day
"What's Black and white, black and white, black and white, black and white, black and white, Black and white, black and white, black and white, Black and white, black and white, black and white, black and white, black and white, black and white, answer 101 Dalmatians !
Tuck-Shop 2025
School Holiday Fun
Your Contact Details
If your details have changed in the past year, especially your emergency contacts, please let the Office know so our records are accurate and up to date.
Tuck-shop Roster
School Website & Calendar
Have you downloaded the School Calendar to your phone yet! This is the quickest way to see upcoming events for St Finbarr's as they will already be on your phones Calendar
Below shows you in 4 steps on how to subscribe the school online calendar onto your phone's calendar, when reading school newsletter via your phone
St Finbarr's School, Quilpie, Calendar
St Finbarr's School, Quilpie Website
Assembly
Don't forget each Friday we have assembly in the Mary Mackillop room, where Student awards are presented and School notices are shared with students and families present, at 8.45am when the bell rings please head on into the Mary Mackillop room
School Yard access
School Bell Times
Start of day bell -8.45am
Morning Tea Bell 11.00am -11.30am
Lunch Bell 1.00pm -1.30pm
End of day Bell -3.00pm
Please don't send students to school before 8.30 unless prior arrangements have been made, playground supervision doesn't begin until 8.30am
Term Dates 2025
St Finbarr's Student Protection Contacts
It is a legislative requirement that all non-state schools have at least two nominated staff members to whom a student can report the behaviour of another staff member that the student considers inappropriate. We call these specially trained staff members School Student Protection Contacts, or SSPCs. Each SSPC has been nominated by the principal in recognition of their integrity, approachability and knowledge in the area of student protection. Whilst students are encouraged to speak up to any trusted adult in the school community, it is important that they know they can access these specific staff members at any time should they have worries, queries or concerns. You will have noticed posters throughout the school depicting our current SSPCs. The SSPCs are also published on our school website along with information about our student protection processes. In everything we do at St Finbarr's student safety is our highest priority, therefore the SSPCs at our school are key personnel in our overall safeguarding processes. Please see the poster depicting our current SSPC team.